Full of Hope

Why All the Cynicism? 

Full disclosure: This post is about a couple things I have been pondering this week. I will try not to douse you in the waterfall of my deep thoughts, more just lead you to the water fountain. Read, drink, and discuss at your leisure. 

I am going to throw out some large concepts here, but roll with me. I work at a University and in this setting, people thrive on big concepts. So go back with me to your college years of sitting in coffee shops and discussing the meaning of the world. Just for a little bit.

Overall, this week has been wonderful. I felt well-rested, (mostly) I fit in a long run, I got to experiment in the kitchen, my mother came to see me (!) and The Attic won the Sunshine Award. 

But there have been a couple downers. 

Part of my job is keeping up with news headlines, and trolling twitter. Both can be interesting, but can also be brain-drains. 

And both activities can be incredibly sad. 

Why? Because people can be so rude and cynical. 

Here are my thoughts on this: 

1. Just because you're writing on an online forum and not speaking out loud, you do not get a pass on kindness. 

2. Why does our overwhelming culture seem so cynical? It's cool to be a cynic now. Why did this start? I think it's roots can be found during the Vietnam War and Watergate era. People in authority suddenly seemed less trustworthy, which in turn made us more wary and cynical. 

Was it like a pendulum swing? It seems possible that the country went from being overly trusting to overly cynical. Have we found a healthy balance yet? Eric Metaxas talks about this in the introduction to his book 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness. (Great book, by the way.) 

What do you think about that? Why do you think people are so cynical? Maybe it has it's roots in the post-modernity era as well. 

Also, thoughts on the #Enditmovement and those who are cynical about the red X's: 

1. Some people were cynical of the whole drawing red X's on hands to raise awareness for modern day slavery idea. And while I can see where some of them are coming from, I think most of the cynical tweeters I read were wrong. (If you'd like to know more about the Enditmovement, you can read about it here.) 

I understand that we must ask A.) Is awareness just for the sake of awareness doing anyone any good? and B.) Does awareness of a problem lead to action being taken to solve the problem? 

2. I believe the answer to the first question is YES. As an American woman, I definitely see the value in raising awareness of the epidemic of human trafficking. Women who are not aware of the problem of human trafficking or don't think it happens here (Taken was filmed in Europe, but the problem is just as prevalent here.) are vulnerable to be taken advantage of themselves. It happens here. At our hotels, at our gas stations, in our cities, in our country.

3. My answer to the second problem is most likely. We can't know for sure how much action is directly inspired by awareness. But I have heard of many people who once aware of the problem seek ways to join with other organizations like the A21 Campaign and the International Justice Mission that are working to solve this problem- working to eradicate modern day slavery. Even is only 10 people are inspired, doesn't that make it worth it to draw a red X on your hand? What about 5? What about 1? Moses led an entire people group out of slavery. Just one man. 

All of this to say- I am over the cynicism. I am full of hope- for the future of our nation, for my friends, and for my family. 

My hope is in the Lord. "...and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5. (All of Romans 5 is great and worth reading, by the way.) 

You can be someone who slings mud. I want to be someone who sees your mud, and plants something in it. 

Let hope grow. 

Thanks for sticking with me through the murky waters of my thoughts of the week. Happy Weekend. 

Much love,

xo The Attic